verb

straddle

STRA-duhl

Straddle (verb) means to sit or stand with one leg on each side of something. Example: “She straddled the motorbike and kicked the engine into life.”

verb

To sit or stand with one leg on each side of something.

"She straddled the motorbike and kicked the engine into life."

"He straddled the low fence to get into the garden."

To span or extend across both sides of something, or to hold a position between two options without committing fully to either.

"The new office building straddles the border between the two boroughs."

"The senator tried to straddle the issue instead of taking a clear side."

noun

An options-trading strategy that bets on a security moving sharply in either direction.

"The trader bought a straddle ahead of the earnings announcement."

How to use straddle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStanding or sitting with your legs spread apart on either side of something, or figuratively sitting on the fence between two positions.

Common pairings

straddle the fence straddle a bike straddle two worlds

Word forms

straddled past tense, straddles plural, straddles singular

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She _____ the motorbike and kicked the engine into life.

Etymology

A 1560s alteration of the older dialect word "striddle," related to "stride."

· First attested 1560

Class of 1560 straddle joined the language around 1560.

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Synonyms

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range span

Related words

while period rate range scale distance length bridge

Rhymes for straddle

paddle waddle saddle skedaddle

See all rhymes for straddle →

Frequently asked questions

What does “straddle” mean?

The word “straddle” means to sit or stand with one leg on each side of something. In plain terms, standing or sitting with your legs spread apart on either side of something, or figuratively sitting on the fence between two positions.

How do you pronounce “straddle”?

“Straddle” is pronounced STRA-duhl (/ˈstɹædəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “straddle” in a sentence?

Here is “straddle” used in a sentence: “She straddled the motorbike and kicked the engine into life.”

What part of speech is “straddle”?

Depending on how it is used, “straddle” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “straddle” come from?

The word “straddle” dates back to around 1560. A 1560s alteration of the older dialect word "striddle," related to "stride.".

How many meanings does “straddle” have?

“Straddle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to sit or stand with one leg on each side of something.

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